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The Moon Administration’s improved health insurance system celebrates its 2 years birthday. Moon held a briefing of its fruits at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital. Prior to the briefing, Moon toured the facilities of the hospital including the rehabilitation center and MRI rooms and listened and exchanged opinions of patients and doctors.
“The advent of new diseases and increased number of chronicle diseases required us the need of including them into the National Health Insurance Service so that the ordinary patients do not feel financial burden. This was the reason we introduced an improved health insurance system 2 years ago. Its goal is to benefit the people throughout their life” said Moon.
“The improved system abolished the selected check-up fee and is now gradually covering premium wards up to 2 patients, MRI, ultrasonic waves, emergency treatment and critical patient treatment. Low income families can receive health treatment at any time at less than 1 million won a year and 50% of the lowest income families can receive up to 30 million won medical bill support.”
“The statistics tells us that the system has saved the overall medical expenses of the people between January last year to April this year by 2.2 trillion won. Not complacent, we will keep finding ways to reduce medical expenses on the treatments that are not yet included in the National Health Insurance Service.”
From September this year, the National Health Insurance Service covers prostate ultrasonic waves, from October abdomen and chest MRI, from December womb and ovary ultrasonic waves. Also expected to be covered are spines, joints, eye diseases, and surgery and treatment materials.
Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung Hoo briefed that 36 million people are benefiting from the improved health insurance system especially the low income families.
Choi Won-yong who has a 4 year old daughter suffering from a rare disease said “My daughter had her first surgery March last year. A surgery costs around 3 million won and my daughter needs about 10 surgeries. The bill for the first surgery I received was about 300,000 won thanks to the abolished special treatment fee and the reduced in-patient costs.”
Dou Hyun-wook whose wife was hospitalized for 7 months due to early childbirth said “Thanks to the abolished selected check-up fee and covering the premium wards as well as nursing services, we felt less burden cost-wise.”
“Seoul National University Children’s Hospital professor Kim Min-sun said “Nursing services for children including nursing facilities are much needed.”
Moon attends 2nd Social Economy Fair
President Moon attended the 2nd Social Economy Fair held in Daejeon from July 5th to 7th. 800 people including 250 social entrepreneurs, social and civil organizations and government organizations attended the opening ceremony. Activating social economy is part of the Moon Administration’s national policies and Moon on the day encouraged the attendees and introduced the directions. He showed his gratitude to social enterprise and business runners and suggested three principles: regional-based, private-led, and government support. Social economy related products were displayed and sold on the day, and a number of conferences and policy briefings were made throughout the fair.
Economic leaders meet at Blue House
A meeting for economic leaders was held at the Blue House on July 10th. Leaders of 30 companies and 4 economic organizations attended on the day and they were: Samsung vice chairman Yoon Bu-geun, Hyundai Motor senior vice president Chung Eui-sun, SK chairman Chey Tae-won, LG chairman Koo Kwang-mo, Lotte vice chairman Hwang Gak-gyu, POSCO chairman Choi Jung-woo, Hanwha chairman Kim Seung-yeon, GS chairman Huh Chang-soo, and NongHyup chairman Kim Byeong-won;
Hyundai Heavy Industry vice president Chung gi-seon, Shinseage vice chairman Chung Yong-jin, KT chairman Hwang Chang-gyu, Hanjin chairman Cho Won-tae, Doosan chairman Park Jung-won, LS chairman Christopher Koo, Mirae Asset chairman Park Hyeon-Joo, Hyundai department store chairman Jung Ji-sun, National Security Office director Chung Eui-yong, presidential secretary for policy Kim Sang-jo, senior presidential secretary for economic affairs Lee Ho-seung, and more.
Moon said “The Japanese government is trying to harm our economy for political purpose. It will not only give bad influence to both Korean and Japanese economies but the world.” He then asked the attendees to work together to bring up measures and to tackle the issues.
백종원 기자 bridgekorea@naver.com
